Before You Leave

How to prepare for your trip

How should you prepare?

Renew or apply for a passport-Your passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months after the last day of your mission trip.
Get vaccinated – Check out the CDC website and talk to your healthcare provider about what vaccinations you need. Some vaccinations require time to take effect.
See if you need a visa – Check with your trip director to determine if you need a visa. The majority of our trips do not require one, but it is essential that all international participants research what visas are required for travel.
Book your stateside travel – Book your flight to and from the departure city.
Gather your gear – Check out the local weather to see if you’ll need shorts or your winter coat. Your trip director will let you know if you need items such as a sleeping bag or work gloves.
Pack your bags – But please pack light! This is not a vacation.
Share your medical needs – If you have special dietary restrictions or physical limitations, please confirm with your trip director any necessary accommodations. As a precaution for those with dietary restrictions, bring snacks in the event that our host is unable to accommodate you at every meal.
Calibrate your expectations – Mission activities may change at any point based on the needs of the local community, so please be flexible if (and when) your group’s work differs from what you were expecting.
Turn off your phone – You can use your phone for pictures, but otherwise, we ask that all participants go on a “phone fast” and refrain from using their phone while on mission.
Be present – In addition to the phone fast, to help foster community, on every trip we ask all participants to go on a “dating fast.” This means not starting up any new romantic relationships while on the trip, and taking a step back from any relationship you are in.

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Host	Retreat Type	Start Date	End Date
Tulane University	Way of the Disciple	09/05/24	09/07/24
University of Nebraska Lincoln	The Sanctifier	09/13/24	09/15/24
Parish Outreach	The Father’s House	09/16/24	09/18/24
Kansas State University	The Father’s House	09/20/24	09/22/24
University of Delaware	Rec	09/20/24	09/22/24
University of South Carolina – Columbia	Rec	09/27/24	09/29/24
St. Francis University	The Father’s House	10/04/24	10/06/24
Nicholls State University	The Father’s House	10/04/24	10/06/24
Northwestern State University	The Father’s House	10/11/24	10/13/24
University of Memphis	The Father’s House	10/11/24	10/13/24
Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville	The Father’s House	10/18/24	10/20/24
Ohio State University	The Father’s House	10/18/24	10/20/24
University of Dallas	The Sanctifier	10/24/24	10/26/24
Central Connecticut State University	The Father’s House	10/25/24	10/27/24
Universidad de Monterrey	The Father’s House	10/25/24	10/27/24
California State University – Fullerton	The Father’s House	10/25/24	10/27/24
Sts. Anne and Joaquim, Fargo, ND	Way of the Disciple	11/01/24	11/03/24
University of Krems	Men’s	11/01/24	11/03/24
University of Mary	The Father’s House	11/08/24	11/10/24
DePauw University	Rec	11/08/24	11/10/24
Philanthropy Engagement	Way of the Disciple	11/15/24	11/17/24
University of Passau	Rec	11/21/24	11/23/24
Texas A&M University	The Sanctifier	02/07/25	02/09/25
FOCUS Greek Southeast	The Father’s House	02/14/25	02/16/25
FOCUS Greek Midwest	The Father’s House	02/14/25	02/16/25
Worcester Polytechnic Institute	The Sanctifier	02/14/25	02/16/25
FOCUS Greek Southwest	The Father’s House	02/21/25	02/23/25
Wayne State University	The Father’s House	02/21/25	02/23/25
University of Illinois-Chicago	The Sanctifier	02/21/25	02/23/25
Queens College of the City University of New York	The Father’s House	03/07/25	03/09/25
Nicholls State University	Way of the Disciple	03/07/25	03/09/25
Grand Valley State University	The Father’s House	03/28/25	03/30/25
University of Northern Iowa	Way of the Disciple	04/03/25	04/05/25
University of Nebraska Lincoln	The Father’s House	04/04/25	04/06/25
Arizona State University	Men’s	02/07/25	02/09/25
University of Nebraska at Kearney	Rec	09/27/24	09/29/24

SEE MORESEE LESS

Missions

Before You Leave

Before You Leave

How should you prepare?

Renew or apply for a passport-Your passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months after the last day of your mission trip.

Get vaccinated – Check out the CDC website and talk to your healthcare provider about what vaccinations you need. Some vaccinations require time to take effect.

See if you need a visa – Check with your trip director to determine if you need a visa. The majority of our trips do not require one, but it is essential that all international participants research what visas are required for travel.

Book your stateside travel – Book your flight to and from the departure city.

Gather your gear – Check out the local weather to see if you’ll need shorts or your winter coat. Your trip director will let you know if you need items such as a sleeping bag or work gloves.

Pack your bags – But please pack light! This is not a vacation.

Share your medical needs – If you have special dietary restrictions or physical limitations, please confirm with your trip director any necessary accommodations. As a precaution for those with dietary restrictions, bring snacks in the event that our host is unable to accommodate you at every meal.

Calibrate your expectations – Mission activities may change at any point based on the needs of the local community, so please be flexible if (and when) your group’s work differs from what you were expecting.

Turn off your phone – You can use your phone for pictures, but otherwise, we ask that all participants go on a “phone fast” and refrain from using their phone while on mission.

Be present – In addition to the phone fast, to help foster community, on every trip we ask all participants to go on a “dating fast.” This means not starting up any new romantic relationships while on the trip, and taking a step back from any relationship you are in.

Before You Leave

How should you prepare?

Renew or apply for a passport-Your passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months after the last day of your mission trip.

Get vaccinated – Check out the CDC website and talk to your healthcare provider about what vaccinations you need. Some vaccinations require time to take effect.

See if you need a visa – Check with your trip director to determine if you need a visa. The majority of our trips do not require one, but it is essential that all international participants research what visas are required for travel.

Book your stateside travel – Book your flight to and from the departure city.

Gather your gear – Check out the local weather to see if you’ll need shorts or your winter coat. Your trip director will let you know if you need items such as a sleeping bag or work gloves.

Pack your bags – But please pack light! This is not a vacation.

Calibrate your expectations – Mission activities may change at any point based on the needs of the local community, so please be flexible if (and when) your group’s work differs from what you were expecting.

Turn off your phone – You can use your phone for pictures, but otherwise, we ask that all participants go on a “phone fast” and refrain from using their phone while on mission.

Be present – In addition to the phone fast, to help foster community, on every trip we ask all participants to go on a “dating fast.” This means not starting up any new romantic relationships while on the trip, and taking a step back from any relationship you are in.

Give